Cathay Pacific to Apply New Loyalty Program System

The Marco Polo Club's new points-based system also comes with several improvements in premium passengers' travel experience.

Cathay Pacific this week announced upcoming changes to its Marco Polo Club loyalty program, introducing a new points-based system set to take effect in April 2016. With the new system, the airline will be basing point earnings on a combination of passengers’ selected cabin, flight fare, and the distanced traveled, which it hopes would offer a more balanced approach.

“Customer loyalty is the backbone of our airline and we are grateful for the great support and contribution our Marco Polo Club members have been giving us,” Cathay Pacific director of sales and marketing Dane Cheng said. “The travel industry is ever-evolving and we understand there have been significant changes to the way our members travel in recent years. We must adapt to these changes so that we continue to help our passengers travel well and ensure they feel properly appreciated.”

While other member benefits will remain unchanged, such as unlimited lounge access for Silver members and above as well as priority boarding and check-in, the carrier says several improvements will also be made to benefit members’ experience. These items include bookable upgrades for Gold and Diamond members, an additional Gold companion card for Diamond members, as well as a lower qualifying age for young members, which will be dropped to 12, from the current limit of 18. Cathay Pacific will be offering assistance for members during the transition period, converting each member’s mileage into club points. Gold members with 48,000 club miles, for example, will see their numbers converted to 480 points.

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